Breast Reconstruction in South Jersey and Voorhees

When you’re considering a breast augmentation, it’s important to understand your implant options. Here’s what you need to know about saline, silicone, gummy bear, and fat grafting breast augmentation.

Saline Breast Implants

Saline implants are filled with a sterile saltwater solution and have a uniform shape and firmness. Many saline breast implants have a structured interior that helps them keep their shape, giving them a more natural appearance. If and when a saline implant ruptures, the loss of volume in the breast is immediate and usually quite noticeable. Because the filler is simply salt water, when a rupture occurs it is simply absorbed by the body and disposed of naturally. They are FDA-approved for use in women 18 and older.

Silicone Breast Implants

Silicone implants are filled with a soft, silicone gel and are available in a range of shapes, allowing for a more natural look and feel, depending on the patient’s body type. Silicone implants do require regular follow-up visits, and they are FDA-approved for use in women ages 22 and older.

“Gummy Bear” Implants

The 410 cohesive silicone gel implants, commonly referred to as ‘gummy bear implants’ feature a silicone gel that is thicker and firmer than that in traditional silicone implants. This allows them to maintain their shape even if the shell breaks. It has been said that these are most natural feeling implant available at this time. The use of gummy bear implants is relatively new in the U.S., but they have been used internationally since the early 1990s.

Autologous Fat Transfer

A fat transfer procedure involves injecting the breasts with fat cells removed from another area of the body through liposuction (commonly the abdomen, thighs, or hips). Women looking for a relatively small change in breast size (within one cup size) have been seeing great results from this procedure. It is a relatively new procedure, and experts aren’t sure exactly how long the results will last. However, many women prefer this option because it removes a small amount of unwanted fat while enlarging the breasts, uses their own tissue instead placing a foreign object (implant) into the body, and results in a very natural-feeling result.

To learn more about the types of breast implants and consider which is your best option, consult William Franckle, MD at Premier Plastic Surgery Arts. With 3D imaging technology available at the practice, you can truly experience a before and after view of the results to assist in your decision.

For some women undergoing a breast augmentation, the recovery is more worrisome than the procedure itself. Whether considering silicone or saline implants, the thought of ‘downtime’ and side effects can be nerve-wracking. The reality is, there will be some level of discomfort after a surgical procedure. Your body will need time to heal. The good news is, paying attention to your post-operative instructions and taking extra care of your body will make the road to recovery much easier.

1) Don’t go alone!

There is no denying that breast augmentation takes a toll on the body. It is extremely valuable to have a friend or family member by your side to assist before and after the procedure. It will be difficult to perform normal activities independently for 24 to 48 hours following the surgery.

2) Rest, rest, rest

During a breast augmentation patients are given general anesthesia and are prescribed pain medication following the surgery. These medications will help the body relax but can lead to drowsiness. Recovery time can vary from person to person, but all patients should allow themselves to rest as much as possible for several days following the surgery.

3) Hydrate!

Aside from the drowsiness that medications can cause, they may leave you feeling very thirsty. It is important to have plenty of water ready—and within arm’s reach—for the time spent resting.

4) Avoid lying horizontally

To ensure not to overexert the body, a recliner or upright seating positionis recommended when you first arrive home from surgery. For a few days to a week, it may be difficult and uncomfortable to lie down horizontally.

5) Stay positive!

It is important to remember that discomfort is temporary and completely normal. Patients recovering from breast augmentation will often be surprised at how soon they feel able to get back on their feet, with some short-lived physical limitations.

6) Take the doctor’s advice in the weeks and months to come

The weeks and months after the surgery are a crucial time to ensure proper healing. Following the post procedure instructions we give you will lead to a more comfortable and more successful recovery. To avoid scar tissue buildup and maximize recovery, Dr. Franckle may recommend certain exercises and massaging methods so that the implant falls into place appropriately. Any questions about your recovery should be directed to Dr. Franckle or our office staff. We are just a phone call away!

If you are a woman with overly large breasts you know the struggles that come with everyday activities. Back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, indentations from heavy bra straps, and other symptoms can interrupt your daily routine. For some, the physical struggle of carrying the excess weight is not the only reason for seeking a solution; emotional discomfort and self-consciousness are also common. When the symptoms continue to get worse, one solution is a breast reduction surgery or reduction mammaplasty. As with all surgical procedures, there are essential factors to keep in mind. Age, BMI, personal habits, and overall health should be considered when deciding if a mammaplasty is right for you and if now is the right time.

You Are Finished Having Children or Do Not Plan on Having Children

The changes in your body during and after pregnancy (especially if breastfeeding) can have an effect on the shape and size of the breasts. This is an important consideration for women researching all types of breast surgeries, including a reduction mammaplasty. Stretching of the breast tissue, connective tissue, and ligaments during pregnancy can lead to sagging of the breasts and for some, stretch marks. After undergoing a surgical procedure to alter the look and size of your breasts, seeing those results fade away during pregnancy can be disappointing. If you are planning to have children in the future but still would like to a move forward with a mammaplasty now, be sure to discuss these plans with Dr. Franckle during your consultation so you can agree on the best approach for you.

You Are in Good Health

An important factor in the success and safety of a breast reduction procedure is the overall health of you, the patient. During your consultation with Dr. Franckle be prepared to discuss your medical history (including past operations), medical conditions, current medications, your family history of breast cancer and, depending on your age, the results of past mammograms. Apart from your physical health, Dr. Franckle will also take the time to fully discuss the procedure and ensure that you have realistic expectations for your outcome.

Your Lifestyle Can Provide Enough Time for Recovery

Recovery of any type of plastic surgery is a very common concern. It is also one of the most important factors to consider when researching a reduction mammaplasty. Your body will need time to heal and trying to do too much can have a negative effect on your final result. At our office, each patient is given aftercare instructions that we encourage them to follow carefully. The level of activity during recovery will depend on your particular situation (i.e. do you have young kids, does your occupation require you to stand most of the day, etc.). Generally speaking, most patients will take 5-7 days off from work. Heavy lifting and exercise should be avoided for 4-6 weeks following the procedure.

A reduction mammaplasty can be a life changer for many patients. Relieving the physical and emotional strain overly large breasts have on the body and at the same time working toward your aesthetic goals make this procedure popular among women of all ages. We hope these points have helped you decide if now is the right time for you to undergo a reduction mammaplasty. Ready to go? Give us a call for a consultation with Dr. Franckle!

We do many chest surgeries and despite the number we do, one thing we never forget is that it is an actual surgery. Therefore, it demands only the best in terms of preparation, research, technology, performance, and bedside manner. In order to undergo this extensive process, the patient must meet certain criteria in terms of physical and mental qualifications, plus readiness. After meeting these qualifications, the patient will be ready to move forward with breast reconstructive surgery.

Health Requirements

This surgery involves opening up the chest and adding additional elements to the body. Therefore, complications are a possibility. A complication can put the body at odds with healing and make it impossible for the patient to recover fully. Fortunately, a complication is the exception rather than the rule. When a patient comes into the office, we will ask them about their health history, so we know how to deal with problems such as both types of diabetes or heart issues. We might also suggest that the patient lose weight before undergoing a breast reconstruction. The stronger the heart and the more controlled the health issues, the more likely a patient will have a smooth procedure with great results.

Mental Requirements

The reconstruction process also demands that a patient be prepared to adhere to strict follow-up guidelines. These guidelines are set in place by Dr. Franckle in order to promote a healthy overall recovery as well as an optimal settling of the implants. It is imperative that patients stick to the guidelines in terms of taking prescriptions, eating clean, and keeping follow-up visits.

In 1895, Dr. Vincenz Czerny performed what is considered to be the earliest chest enhancement. The surgery used emplacement autologous adipose tissue from the patient. Since that time, this procedure has evolved into the second most popular plastic surgery procedure in the world.

1st-Generation Silicone Implants

The first manufactured silicone breast implants, which were made from seamed rubber shells filled with silicone gel, were created by researchers at Dow Corning in 1961. They held a teardrop shape and were attached to living breast tissue to keep them in place. However, many of the women who received these implants complained that they were too firm and caused capsular contractures, or scar tissue that causes the breasts to harden.

2nd-Generation Silicone Implants

In the 1970s, researchers sought to improve the design of the silicone breast implant by thinning out the shell and injecting more liquid silicone into the encasement. Though they were successful in creating a softer implant, the new design ultimately failed at reducing the number of capsular contracture in users. In fact, further complications arose because the new design was susceptible to ruptures that lead to silicone leaks.

3rd-Generation Silicone Implants

Scientists retooled the implant shells to be thicker in order to prevent ruptures that occurred due to natural wear and tear. Unfortunately, these new models did not adhere to FDA standards, and silicone breast implants were banned from the United States for 14 years, though they were still approved for use in reconstruction and revision patients.

Modern Implants

Shortly after breast implants were found to have no link to disease, they were reapproved by the FDA. Researchers were able to improve upon previous designs to construct what is known as a “Gummy Bear” implant. The main difference between this model and the ones that came before it is that it is “form-stable,” meaning that the implant can keep its firm form while still being soft to touch.

With all of the amazing innovations that have taken place in the history of breast implants, it’s interesting to see how far they have come from their initial form over a century ago. If you would like to learn more about modern breast implant surgery, Dr. Franckle will be happy to meet with you for a free consultation.

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*Disclaimer: Please note that outcomes from plastic surgery procedures may vary from patient to patient. Before and after images are specific to that particular patient and may not be representative of the experience of others.